Key Takeaways
- The best times to visit the beaches of Paros are early mornings, late afternoons, or visiting during the low-season months to avoid large crowds.
- When packing your bag for Paros' beaches, don't forget to bring water, snacks, sun protection, umbrellas, rackets, goggles, and a book for relaxation.
- Kolimbithres Beach is known for its unique rock formations that resemble bathtubs, and it offers both isolated and organized beach options.
- Punda Beach is the most popular and busiest beach on the island, known for its wild social scene and parties. It attracts young crowds.
Paros is one of the most popular Greek island destinations, even among the local Greeks. Its incredible landscape and striking and clean beaches, along with the vibrant nightlife the island is famous for, make it an ideal destination for people of all ages and tastes.
With the Cycladic island being one of the largest in Greece and a favorite destination often included in our Greece vacation packages, the beach destinations in Paros are plenty and different from one another, so it’s only reasonable to add a fair amount of them to your list of places to visit in Paros.
Here we present to you our top picks along with tips and tricks that will ensure your smooth and enjoyable stay in Paros.
Beaches
Kolymbithres
If you’re a lover of wild beauty, Kolimbithres beach will leave you breathless with its jaw-dropping beauty. In the northwest of Paros, at the western end of Naoussa, you will come across a landscape that doesn’t resemble a typical Cycladic island.
The smooth, bulbous rock formations, prominent across the entire beach, make Kolymbithres one of the best beaches in Paros, if not Greece, as it has made our 'top 30 beaches in Greece' list.
The natural cavities the rock formations create simulate bathtubs, explaining the ‘Kolymbithres’ name, which translates to -you guessed it- ‘bath tubs’ in Greek.
‘Kolymbithres’ is, in fact, not one single beach, but many, each catering to different tastes and needs, varying from isolated beaches providing its visitors with nothing but their stunning landscapes to fully organized beaches offering umbrellas and sunbeds, along with all modern comforts.
The sand of ‘Kolymbithres’ beach is soft and golden; the waters are crystal clear and on the cold side, while the shadows of rocks overlooking the sea paint a canvas of all shades of blue.
Unlike most of Paros’ beaches, Kolymbithres are suitable for isolation and quiet, as your tranquility will not be disturbed by the beach bar’s loud music or the voices of the excessive crowd. The serene calmness of the striking beach of Kolymbithres makes it one of the best beaches of Paros and is definitely worth your while.
Piso Livadi
Piso Livadi beach - credits: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock.com
Within the settlement of Piso Livadi, which is also home to a little port, lies the homonymous beach on the west side of Paros. Piso Livadi beach is accessible either from Parikia, following the road that passes by the picturesque, mountainous Lefkes, or from Naoussa.
Much like Kolymbithres beach, Piso Livadi beach is one of the less cosmopolitan beaches on Paros, dull to those looking to party hard but perfect for those looking for peace and quiet.
Despite that, however, the region doesn’t lack in various shops, cafes, and restaurants that line up along the beach. Due to its hippy nature, Piso Livadi beach is not organized and doesn’t offer the luxury of umbrellas and sun loungers.
Therefore, if you want to be protected from the sun, feel free to bring your own equipment. Regardless of the absence of luxuries found on the beach, its soft sandy shore and deep blue waters make Piso Livadi one of the top choices of holidaymakers that want to experience the island of Paros like true locals, away from the hustle and bustle of the touristy spots.
Chrysi Akti
Chrysi Akti beach is the largest beach on the island, and it has been argued to be one of the most beautiful beaches of Paros as well. It is known for its huge and light-colored sandy beach, as well as for its wind surf-streams and its crystal clear, shallow waters.
Being a rather popular beach, Chrysi Akti is fully organized, while umbrellas, sunbeds, and numerous beach bars and restaurants are sprinkled across the length of its smooth shore.
Due to the manageable depth of the sea and the presence of experienced lifeguards, Chrysi Akti is also ideal for water and beach games while at the same time being one of the most family-friendly beaches of Paros, providing safe fun for the kids.
The combination of the two attracts a diverse crowd that includes both families and party-goers, making Chrysi Akti an all-accommodating beach destination.
Furthermore, there you can find an equipped surf club that offers -besides beginner and advanced lessons- boats for rent for those who want to elevate their visit to the beach to a whole different level.
Faragas
Faragas is a small beach located in the southern part of Paros. The area is practically uninhabited except for some holiday homes, few and far between, with the village closest to Faragas Beach being Alyki, at a distance of approximately 4 km.
Despite its secluded location, Faragas is easily accessible through the main road of the island, which passes over the beach.
The bay is surrounded by low sea rocks, but the beach itself has fine sand across its entire length. Faragas is one of the most popular beaches of Paros and is, therefore, fully organized.
However, it also provides free space for people who want to experience the beach in a more organic way. Almost as popular as Faragas beach is the Faragas beach bar, which occupies most of the beach and offers sun loungers, drinks, and light meals.
Furthermore, at Faragas beach, you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and water skiing, waking, and tubing. For the most daring, the beach offers experienced trainers that will help you take long-distance kayak routes.
Please be mindful of the fact that despite Faragas having a sandy shore, there are some rocks and pebbles in the water, so you should be careful when entering the sea.
Punda
A guide to Paros’ beaches would be incomplete without the mention of Punda beach, arguably the island’s most popular and busiest beach, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors -with Greeks being no exception- every year.
Famous for its wild social scene, Punda beach is solely for those who want to let their hair down and party as hard as they can. The beach itself, located on the southeast side of Paros, is undoubtedly beautiful.
However, the sheer number of visitors, along with the Punda beach club and its loud, upbeat music, is a lot to handle -especially if you’re not mentally prepared for it- while the beach can get pretty dirty due to careless crowds.
The beach is easily accessible by car or by public bus, and it particularly appeals to young crowds that want to partake in endless parties, dance, and drink.
Punda’s scenic landscape, along with its long, sandy shore, are the saving graces of the beach, and if you’re up for a party that would make Mykonos proud, go ahead and visit it.
One thing is for sure: it will be a memorable experience!
Santa Maria
The perfect combination of tranquility and fun, Santa Maria beach is located on the northeastern coast of Paros, near the town of Naoussa and 15 km away from the capital of the island, Parikia.
It is essentially an accumulation of many separate beaches located in a bay that keeps it protected from the northern winds, making it one of our top beaches in Paros.
Santa Maria is quite large, and despite the fact that it is one of the most popular beaches on the island, it never gets overcrowded due to its size.
The main beach is known as Santa Maria Surfing Beach, while a little further down the main road, there is a smaller -but equally beautiful beach- known as Little Santa.
Santa Maria has a wonderful, golden sandy beach that is suitable for kids, along with clear, refreshing waters that are an oasis in the midst of the summer heat.
Santa Maria beach offers umbrellas and sun loungers, as well as showers, a beach bar from which you can purchase drinks and snacks, and restaurants for lunch.
There are organized water sports and water sports schools offering windsurfing, diving, skiing, and canoeing.
You can get to Santa Maria beach from Parikia by car or from Naoussa by public bus. Alternatively, you can catch a traditional boat to Santa Maria beach from Naoussa’s port.
Parasporos
Parasporos beach is another of the best beaches in Paros, especially for visitors and locals staying in Parikia, since it’s located just 3km away.
The sheltered bay of Parasporos is a sight for sore eyes, while its organization and sandy coast will please even the most demanding of its visitors.
There you will find plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas, showers and a volley net, in case you ever get bored of swimming in the beautiful, crystal waters of the Aegean sea.
Two beach bars are available for you to get refreshments or an iced coffee while soaking up the sun, and two taverns will be waiting for you whenever you get a craving for some authentic Greek delicacies.
A locals’ tip is to stay on the beach till the golden hour; watching the sunset on the sandy coast or at one of the picturesque taverns by the sea is one of the most romantic things you can do in Paros.
Agia Eirini
If you are looking for an underrated gem whose tranquil waters and atmosphere will make you forget all your problems and worries, Agia Eirini beach is the answer to your prayers.
The two close to each other, beaches of Agia Eirini are located 5km away from Parikia, and the sheltered bay gives you the impression that you are swimming in a peaceful lake.
One of the beaches is slightly bigger than the other and offers a few sunbeds, as well as a couple of taverns for you to enjoy a Greek summer dish. The other beach may not have sunbeds, but you can purchase refreshments from the nearby taverns and enjoy them in the shade of palm trees and tamarisk trees.
This Paros beach will enchant you with its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and don’t forget to visit the charming church of Agia Eirini, located right in between the two beaches.
Tips
Best times to visit the beaches
As already mentioned before, Paros is an extremely popular, world-acclaimed Greek holiday destination that gets incredibly busy, especially during the summer months.
As a result, the beaches tend to get crowded as well, and from 11 pm at most, it gets quite difficult to find a vacant spot under a beach umbrella.
Therefore, if you’d like to avoid the large -sometimes overwhelming- crowds, we suggest you visit the beach of your choice either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Alternatively, you can plan your tailor-made trip to Paros during the low-season months, such as late May, early June, September, and October.
Don’t stress too much, though; even if you don’t choose the best time to visit Greece, you can’t have anything short of a great time in Paros, even if you tried!
List of things to bring with you to the beach
1. Plenty of water and a few snacks on the rare occasion that there is no beach bar in sight.
2. A hat, sunglasses, and high sunblock to protect yourself from the sun.
3. Bug bite medicine, just to be on the safe side.
4. Your own umbrellas and sun lounges if you wish to swim in less popular spots.
5. Rackets to keep yourself entertained and fit on the beach.
6. Goggles to explore the mysterious Greek seabed - you can thank us later!
7. A book to relax with as the waves of the sea create the calming soundtrack of your Greek vacations.
Final Thoughts
The beautiful and versatile island of Paros is ideal for you even if all you want to do is lay out in the sun all day, sipping on your cocktail and reading your book. Follow our guide to Paros’ beaches and find something to suit your taste. Its striking offerings leave nothing to be desired and a lot to be remembered!
You get the chance to discover our favorite beach of Paros, Piso Livadi, as well as the nearby Small Cyclades of the Aegean sea on our Paros and Small Cyclades sailing adventure.
Check all our available Paros tours and local experiences, and don’t forget that the island’s location in the Cyclades gives you the perfect opportunity for the Greek island hopping adventure of a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the beaches in Paros crowded?
Are the beaches in Paros suitable for families with children?
Can I find secluded and quiet beaches in Paros?
Are there water sports activities available on Paros' beaches?
Are there facilities like beach bars and restaurants on the beaches?
